Respect is quite often the most important catalyst for resolving conflicts. It’s not always easy to offer to an opponent, in part due to conflicting ideas of what “respect” means. Respectful conflict resolution requires active listening, empathy and a proactive approach to future conflicts. In this article, we’ll discuss the power of respect and how to use it to resolve conflicts effectively.
Family gatherings can bring feelings of warmth, excitement and joy. Like most of us these days, you may also be bracing yourself for dreaded toxic political conversations. A couple of my peers and I wondered what happened to simpler times, when people had healthy debates on front porches. From those musings, we developed a project called Porch Talks, to guide conversations from toxic to healthy. I have lifted some of those ideas to share six simple ways to prevent family gatherings from being derailed by politics.
Family reunions and neighborhood barbecues are meant to be fun gatherings. The combination of crowds, heat and frenetic planning, however, can also be stressful. Tensions can erupt into conflict. As we often point out in our articles, nobody really loves conflict. That being said, those of us in the conflict management field will tell you avoidance isn’t usually the best approach. People dodge conflict when they don’t have the skills to effectively engage. Boundary-setting is one of those skills. In fact, setting boundaries can actually improve relationships.
